Holding rack for dosage units with an active user-guiding means

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a laboratory setup with a holding rack for dosage units (i.e. substance receptacles with attached dispensing heads for pulverous substances) which is equipped with an active user-guiding means that directs the user in a sequence of taking out and returning the different dosage units that are seated in the rack, e.g. for preparing a mixture, where it is of critical importance that none of the dosage units are accidentally either taken out more than once or overlooked in the preparation of the mixture.

[0002] The application envisioned for the present invention is mainly for manually performed procedures in which an operator takes each individual dosage unit out of a holding rack and places it into a dispensing setup, typically a dosage-dispensing setup that couples to a shutter- and/or feeder element in the dispensing head of the dosage unit to deliver a measured quantity of powder from the dosage unit into a receiving container. The manual process of taking dosage units from the rack and placing them in the dispensing setup involves the risk of operator errors for example if a plurality of different powders are to be dispensed sequentially into the same receiving container. If, for example, the user accidentally dispenses a dose of powder twice from the same container, the resulting mixture in the receiving container will have the wrong mix ratio.

[0003] The process of mixing substances in this manner is used for example for standards for the calibration of HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) instruments which has to be performed in accordance with regulatory requirements. Such standards are mixtures of different pulverous substances which, as a rule, are mixed together and solved in an appropriate solvent right before they are used, because if the individual components were kept in a mixed state and/or solved over a longer storage time period a destruction reaction could take place.

[0004] Therefore, in view of the need to prepare mixtures of different powders in a laboratory and to avoid the risk of operator errors of accidentally dispensing the same powder dosage component into the batch twice or forgetting a component, this invention has the objective to provide a laboratory setup with a holding rack for dosage units which has a degree of intelligence which ensures that each dosage component is dispensed into the target batch only once and no dosage component is accidentally omitted from the target batch.

[0005] This objective is met by a laboratory setup, comprising a laboratory balance with a dosage-dispensing device, a processor unit and a holding rack with dosage units, wherein a dosage unit can occupy an individual position or compartment of the holding rack. The laboratory setup is equipped with a respective communication path or interface connection between the processor unit and the holding rack. The holding rack is equipped with an active user-guiding means which is controlled by the processor based on a procedure which is stored in a memory unit of the processor unit, to direct the user in taking out and returning the different dosage units that are seated in said holding rack.

[0006] The term "dosage unit" in the present context means a dispensing head with a supply receptacle for a pulverous substance, In the dispensing position of the dosage unit, the dispensing head is arranged below the supply receptacle. To dispense substance from the dosage unit, the latter is coupled to a dosage-dispensing device, i.e. an actuator device which by means of a coupling engages and actuates a discharge control element of the dispensing head, whereby substance is dispensed from a discharge orifice of the dispensing head into a receiving container (also referred to as target container) which is set up below the dosage unit, for example on the weighing pan of an analytical balance. Typically in this kind of a dispensing setup, the weighing signal from the balance is fed back to a processor unit or computer which controls the actuator device which through the aforementioned coupling actuates the discharge control device to control the rate of substance delivery and to stop the delivery when a target weight has been reached.

[0007] For the smallest substance quantities, it is possible to use a dosage unit which does not have a vial or flask connected to the dispensing head as a supply receptacle. The passage in the dispensing head which otherwise serves for the connection to the vial or flask is in this case used to hold the small supply of substance, i.e. this passage in itself now forms the supply receptacle, and the dosage unit therefore consists of the dispensing head alone. A plug or cap closes the receptacle cavity in the dispensing head after it has been filled with substance.

[0008] In a process of manually preparing a mixture of different powder substances, the operator will place the dosage units with the different substances one after another into the aforementioned dispensing setup to dispense the prescribed substance quantities into the target container. To assist the operator in this process, the inventive concept of a holding rack with a user-guiding means can be put into practice in the embodiments that will now be described.

[0009] In a first embodiment of a laboratory setup, the holding rack in which the dosage units occupy individual positions in a straight row has a means of indicating to the operator which dosage unit is called for in the current step of the dosage-dispensing process. This indication can for example consist of indicator lights arranged on the holding rack above each of the respective holding positions for the dosage units. The light that belongs to the dosage unit for the current step of the procedure is for example lit up while the other lights remain dark, or the dosage unit of the current step may be identified by a green light, while the lights at the other dosage units are red.

[0010] A holding rack of a laboratory setup according to a second embodiment has a means of locking all dosage units in place in their seating positions in the holding rack, and unlocking only the dosage unit that is called for in the current step of the dosage-dispensing process.

[0011] A holding rack of a laboratory setup according to a third embodiment is configured as a carousel where the dosage units are arranged around the circumference. The stepwise rotation of the carousel is programmed so that the dosage unit for the current step is turned towards the user. In this case, the unit to be used in the current step is indicated to the user through its position on the carousel. As an advantageous addition, this carousel rack could be equipped with the aforementioned locking feature whereby all dosage units are locked into their seating positions in the carousel, and only the dosage unit in the position for the current step of the dosage-dispensing process is unlocked. To give an example, the locking feature could be realized with a stationary cover over the carousel preventing access to all dosage units on the carousel except for an access window or cutout in the stationary cover giving access to the one dosage unit which has been moved to the cutout window by the carousel for the current dispensing step.

[0012] In a basic version of each of the three embodiments described above, the dosage units are arranged in the rack in the order in which they are used in the dispensing process, for example from left to right in a linear rack or clockwise in a carousel rack. Thus, if the substances need to be dispensed from the dosage unit in a specified sequence, the dosage units have to be set into the rack in the prescribed order before the dispensing process is started.

[0013] Advantageously, the holding rack of the laboratory setup further comprises for each indicator light a push button and an indicator device for representing specific data related to the dosage unit and/or related to the specific data of the substance inside said dosage unit, for which the related push button has been operated. Said indicator device could be a screen or a touch screen. The representation of the data can be performed in many ways, even the data of all dosage units could be represented, in example in a scroll up menu. Typical specific data related to the dosage unit could be the number of already performed dispensings as well as the remaining quantity of powder. Typical specific data related to the substance could be the chemical formula, the date of production and the lifetime of the substance as well as the dangerous substance class.

[0014] In further developed embodiments of the invention, the dispensing head of each dosage unit carries an ID tag, for example a barcode or matrix-code label or in particular an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag or label, also known as transponder tag. In the latter case, the holding rack is advantageously equipped with a reader device, so that the dosage unit in each rack position can be identified by a processor unit that is incorporated in the rack or connected to the holding rack as an external processor unit, for example a computer or the processor unit of a dispensing setup. As a minimum, this I.D. tag identifies the substance in the dosage unit, but it can also include additional information such as the total amount of substance stored in the dosage unit and the date when the dosage unit was last filled, as well as an expiration date for the substance currently contained in the dosage unit. With an appropriate program and database in the processor unit that controls the rack and/or in a central computer to which the processor unit is connected, it is possible to control and manage an entire inventory of dosage units and their contents.

[0015] The last-mentioned concept of using I.D. tags on dosage units as part of an inventory management system provides not only a systematic control over inventory processes such as reordering of supplies, discarding substances that are past their expiration dates, refilling of dosage units, etc., it can also serve for the control of substances that are regulated under the law (highly toxic substances, prescription drugs, etc.). The control could be exercised for example by requiring a user to be registered electronically on the system before the aforementioned locking feature will unlock any dosage units from their seats in the rack, and by keeping track of the date and time when a dosage unit was taken from the rack and returned to the rack.

[0016] Advantageously, the aforementioned processor or I.D. tag, attached on the holding rack, the dosing head or on a receiving container includes a memory unit in which a procedure is stored which gives the substance quantities and the order of sequence in which they are to be dispensed from their respective dosage units. With the rack position of each dosage unit being known to the processor from the aforementioned transponder tags, and with the dispensing procedure being stored in the memory unit, the processor is able to activate the indicating lights and/or release the locks and/or set the carousel positions according to the prescribed sequence of dosage units. Consequently, it is unnecessary for the dosage units to be set in the rack in any particular order.

[0017] Furthermore, if the number of different substances - and accordingly the number of dosage units - used in the preparation of a mixture exceeds the number of holding positions in a single rack, arrangements are possible where one processor unit addresses dosage units that are arranged in more than one rack. This includes the singular case where the "rack" is a container that holds only one dosage unit. In this case, any mixing procedure will involve a plurality of containers. Applying the aforedescribed inventive concepts to this situation leads to an arrangement where:

• each container of an individual dosage unit has a means of identification (e.g., an RFID tag, barcode label, etc.) whereby the dosage unit is made recognizable to a processor or computer,
• there is a means of two-way communication between the container on the one hand and the processor or computer on the other,
• each container of an individual dosage unit is equipped with an indicating means such as an indicating light, which is controlled by the processor or computer.
• each container of an individual dosage unit is equipped with a locking feature that keeps the dosage unit locked into the container except when the lock is released through a signal from the processor unit.

[0018] This concept is considered particularly advantageous for mixing procedures that involve hazardous substances where the entire batching procedure should be handled with a completely enclosed setup inside a glove box. In this case, the dosage units have to be placed into the glove box inside their safety containers. The foregoing concept of treating the containers themselves as "single-unit racks" eliminates the steps of transferring the dosage units from their individual safety containers into a rack and later returning them to the safety containers, which are much more cumbersome to perform inside a glove box.

[0019] As a further developed version of this last concept, a plurality of containers, each holding one dosage unit, can be placed on and connected to a base plate or shelf plate (not shown in the drawings), for example with mechanical and electrical plug connections which on the one hand secure each container to its assigned place on the base plate and on the other hand provide the electrical connections for the indicator lights as well as for the release of the locking devices that hold the dosage units locked in the containers. Having the containers secured on a shelf plate or other kind of holding base has the advantage that a dosage unit can be pulled out of its safety container with one hand while the container stays in its place on the support base.
This simplifies the manipulation in particular inside a glove box.

[0020] Finally, in a further extension of the inventive concept, the means of indication could be incorporated in the dispensing head of the dosage unit instead of on the rack or individual container. The indicator (e.g. an indicator light on the dispensing head) could be energized through electrical contacts in the rack, or by means of a small battery in the dispensing head, or the small amount of energy required for the indicator light (for example a light-emitting diode) could also be received inductively by the dispensing head through a coil or antenna.

[0021] Details of the holding rack according to the invention are presented in the description of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1a

represents a three-dimensional view of a linear rack according to a first embodiment of the invention filled with dosage units;

Figure 1 b

represents a dosage unit where the supply receptacle is a cavity inside the dispensing head;

Figure 2

represents a three-dimensional view of a carousel rack according to a third embodiment of the invention filled with dosage units, as well as a possibility of locking the dosage units in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3a

represents a single-unit holding rack or container unit according to a fourth embodiment;

Figure 3b

shows the dosage unit of Figure 3a being lifted out of its enclosure unit;

Figure 3c

shows a base plate or shelf plate for three single-unit racks;

Figure 4

illustrates a typical laboratory setup with the inventive holding rack for dosage units, a laboratory balance with a dosage-dispensing device, a computer, and the respective communication paths between computer and rack as well as between computer and balance/dosage-dispensing device.

[0022] The linear holding rack 101 according to a first embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 1a is filled with dosage units 102, where each dosage unit 102 consists of a supply receptacle 104 in the form of a vial with a dispensing head 103 connected to it. As shown in Figure 1b, the dispensing head 103 alone without a vial can be used as dosage unit 102' for very small substance quantities. The opening in the dispensing head 103' where otherwise the neck of a vial would be connected serves in this case as supply receptacle 104'. After the dosage unit 102' has been filled with substance, the opening is closed off with a plug or cap 106.

[0023] The dosage units 102, 102' can be taken out of the holding rack 101 by swiveling the bottom of a dosage unit forward from the rack, and the reverse sequence of movements is used to return a dosage unit to the rack. An indicator light 105, 105' is arranged above each seating position in the holding rack. In a batching process where different substances have to be dispensed from the individual dosage units into a receiving container, the dosage unit 102, 102' to be taken out of the holding rack 101 for the next dispensing step is indicated by the light 105' in the respective position being lit up while the other lights 105 remain dark, or the light 105' that belongs to the dosage unit for the current dispensing step lights up in a first colour, e.g. green, while the lights 105 at the other dosage units light up in a second colour, e.g. red.

[0024] The holding rack 101 further comprises for each indicator light 105, 105' a push button 107 and an indicator device 108 for representing specific data related to the dosage unit 102 and/or related to the specific data of the substance inside said dosage unit 102 for which the related push button 107 has been manually operated. Said indicator device 108 could be a screen or a touch screen. The representation of the data can be performed in many ways, even the data of all dosage units 102, 102' could be represented, in example in a scroll up menu.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a holding rack 201 where the positions for the dosage units 202 are arranged on a carousel. The carousel, which has a drive mechanism energized by a power supply 208, rotates to a position facing the user where the particular dosage unit 202' to be taken out next in the batching process step presents itself to the user. The concept of a carousel rack 201 also offers the possibility to lock all dosage units 202 into their seating positions in the rack except said particular dosage unit 202'. This can be realized by arranging a stationary i.e., non-rotating, bell cover 209 over the top of the carousel which extends downward over the dosage units far enough to keep all dosage units 202 captive except for said next dosage unit 202', which is made accessible by a cutout 210 at the front of the bell cover 209.

[0026] In the holding racks 101 or 201 of Figures 1 a and 2, respectively, the dosage units 102, 102', 202 can be arranged in the rack in the order in which they are used in the dispensing process, requiring the operator to set the dosage units into the rack in the prescribed order before the dispensing process is started, for example from left to right in the case of the holding rack 101 or clockwise in the case of the holding rack 201. In the dispensing process, the holding rack then turns on the indicator lights or changes the carousel positions in the corresponding sequential order.

[0027] In a more advanced version of the inventive concept the holding rack 201 includes a reader device for electronically readable I.D. labels, for example RFID tags, transponder tags, barcodes, etc., which are affixed to the dosage units 202. The holding rack 201 has a bidirectional first interface connection 207 to a processor unit (see Fig. 4, reference symbol 414), and the dosage units 202 carry transponder tags, whereby the processor unit is enabled to identify each dosage unit 202 and to send control commands to the holding rack 201 to move the dosage units 202 to the "take-out" position at the cutout 210 in any order prescribed by a program in the processor, so that the dosage units 202 do not need to be in sequential clockwise or counterclockwise order in the carousel rack 201.

[0028] Of course, an electronic reader device connected to a processor can be used analogously with the holding rack 101 of Figure 1a, where the processor would send the respective command signals to the indicator lights.

[0029] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate the singular case of a holding rack 301 in the form of a container that holds only one dosage unit 302. To illustrate another possible design of a dosage unit, the supply receptacle 304 is funnel- or hopper-shaped, open on top to fill in the substance and then closed with a cap. In a mixing procedure, a plurality of holding containers 301 are used to hold the dosage units 302. Each container 301 has an indicator light 305 and an electronically readable I.D. label 306, and all of the containers used in the process are interfaced to a common processor unit preferably through a wireless connection. The information on the I.D. label on each container is entered into the processor unit by means of an electronic reader device, and the processing unit, in turn, controls the indicator lights 305 on the holding containers 301. The indicator light 305 as well as the I.D. label 306 could also be arranged on the dosage unit 302 instead of on the container 301. In either case, the small amount of power required for the indicator light could be supplied by a battery or transmitted inductively through an RF antenna incorporated in the container 301 or the dosage unit 302.

[0030] The concept of a safety container functioning as a single-unit rack is particularly advantageous for mixing procedures that involve hazardous substances where the entire batching procedure has to be handled with a completely enclosed setup inside a glove box. If traces of the hazardous substance remain clinging to the outside of the dispensing head after a step in the batching procedure has been completed, the risk that the substance could escape into the environment is prevented by the holding container or safety container 301. Of course, it is also possible to arrange a multi-unit rack 101, 201 according to Figure 1 or Figure 2 inside a glove box and to transfer the dosage units from their safety containers to the multi-unit rack 101, 201 in the glove box. However, this takes up more space inside the glove box and adds the steps of transferring the dosage units between their safety containers and the holding rack 101, 201.

[0031] In a further developed embodiment of the foregoing concept, a plurality of containers 301, each holding one dosage unit 302, can be placed on and connected to a base plate or shelf plate. As an example Figure 3c shows a base plate or shelf plate 310 with three seating positions A, B, C for containers 301. The feet 308 of a container 301 plug or snap into matching openings 311 on the base plate 310, and electrical contact elements 307 on the container 301 meet electrical contact elements 312 on the base plate 310. The electrical contacts 307, 312 provide the electrical connections to the indicator lights 305 as well as to the locking devices 309. In its default condition, the locking device 309 keeps the dosage unit 302 locked into the safety container 301, and releases the lock only when it is energized through the electrical contacts 307, 312 under the control of a processor unit. Thus, a dosage unit 302 can be pulled out of its respective safety container 301 with one hand while the container 301 stays in its place on the tray, which simplifies the manipulation in particular inside a glove box.

[0032] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a typical laboratory setup with a holding rack 401 (without push buttons and display) for dosage units, a laboratory balance 413 with a dosage-dispensing device 417, a computer or processor unit 414, and the respective communication paths 407 between computer and holding rack, 415 between computer and balance, and 416 between computer and dosage-dispensing device. A dosage unit 402' whose indicator light 405' is lit up has been taken out of the holding rack 401 and coupled to the dosage-dispensing device 417 to dispense substance into a receiving container 411 resting on a weighing pan 412. Through the interface connection 407, the computer receives the substance data from the RFID tags on the dosage units and controls the indicator lights based 405 on a procedure stored in the computer. The balance sends weight data to the computer through the signal connection 415. The computer, through the interface connection 416, controls the speed and the shut-off point of the dosage-dispensing device 417 in accordance with a weight target given in the aforementioned procedure.

Bezugszeichenliste

101,401	linear rack
102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402'	dosage unit
103, 103', 203, 303	dispensing head
104, 104', 204, 304	supply receptacle, vial
105,405	indicator light, dark
105', 405'	indicator light, activated
106	plug or cap
107	push button
108	indicator device
201	carousel rack
207,407	bidirectional signal connection
208	power supply
209	stationary bell cover of carousel
210	cutout in bell cover 209
301	safety container, single-unit rack
305	indicator light
306	ID label such as a transponder tag, barcode, etc.
307	electrical contact element
308	foot of safety container
309	locking device
310	base plate, shelf plate
311	receptacle openings for feet 308
312	electrical contact element
407	interface connection
411	receiving container
412	weighing pan
413	balance
414	processor unit or computer
415	signal connection
416	interface connection
417	dosage-dispensing device

Claims

1. Laboratory setup, comprising a laboratory balance (413) with a dosage-dispensing device ( 417), a processor unit (414) and a holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) with dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') for dispensing pulverous substances if the latter is coupled to the dosage-dispensing device (417), wherein a dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302) comprises a supply receptacle (104, 104', 204, 304) and a dispensing head (103, 103', 203, 303) connected to each other, wherein a weighing signal (415) from the balance (413) is fed back to the processor unit (414) controlling the dosage-dispensing device (417) and wherein each dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') occupies an individual position or compartment of the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401), characterized in that the laboratory setup is equipped with a respective communication path or interface connection (407) between the processor unit (414) and the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) and the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) is equipped with an active user-guiding means (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') which, in a process of dispensing measured substance quantities from different dosage units into a receiving container (411) is controlled by the processor unit (414) based on a procedure which is stored in a memory unit of the processor unit (414), to direct the user in taking out and returning the different dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') that are seated in said holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401).

2. Laboratory setup according to claim 1, characterized in that said active user-guiding means (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprises an indicating means (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') arranged on the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) which visibly indicates to an operator which dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') is called for in a current step of a dosage-dispensing process.

3. Laboratory setup according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said active user-guiding means (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprises a physical or wireless signal connection from the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) to an indicating means (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') arranged on each dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') which visibly indicates to an operator which dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') is called for in a current step of a dosage-dispensing process.

4. Laboratory setup according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the positions for the dosage units are arranged in a straight row and wherein said indicating means (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprises indicator lights (105) arranged on the holding rack (101) above each of the respective holding positions for the dosage units (102) and wherein the light (105') that belongs to the dosage unit (102') for the current step of the procedure is lit up while the other lights (105) remain dark, or the light (105') that belongs to the dosage unit for the current dispensing step is of a first colour while the lights (105) at the other dosage units are of a second colour.

5. Laboratory setup according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the positions for the dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') are arranged on a carousel (201), said active user-guiding means (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprises a capability of said carousel (201) to rotate to a position (210) where the dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') for the current step presents itself to the user.

6. Laboratory setup according to one of the claims 1 to 5, further comprising a means (209, 309) of locking all dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') into their seating positions in the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) and only the dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') in the position (210) for the current dispensing step is unlocked so that it can be taken out by the user.

7. Laboratory setup according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') are arranged in the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) in the order in which they are used in a dispensing process, requiring the operator to set the dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') into the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) in the prescribed order before the dispensing process is started.

8. Laboratory setup according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) further comprises a reader device for I.D. labels, in particular transponder tags, RFID tags, barcode labels or matrix labels, and that the dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') carry I.D. labels (306), in particular transponder tags, RFID tags, barcode labels or matrix labels, whereby the processor unit (414) is enabled to identify each dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') and its position in the holding rack (102, 102', 202, 302, 401).

9. Laboratory setup according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said processor unit (414) comprises a memory unit in which a procedure is stored with data regarding the substances and the order of sequence in which they are to be dispensed from their respective dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402'), so that based on said procedure as well as the I.D. label data and the holding rack position of each dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402'), the processor unit (414) is able to activate the indicating lights (105) and/or bring a dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') to a take-out position for a current step of a dispensing process and/or or unlock the dosage unit (202) that is to be taken out of the rack in the current step of a dispensing process.

10. Laboratory setup according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Laboratory setup further comprises a balance and a dosage-dispensing device (417) and that the processor unit (414) further has a second interface connection (415) to the balance (413) and a third interface connection (416) to the dosage-dispensing device (417), wherein a dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') can be coupled to the dosage-dispensing device (417) and a receiving container (411) can be set up below the dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') on a weighing pan (412) of the balance (413), wherein the balance (413) sends weight signals to the processor unit (414) through the second interface connection (415) and the processor unit (414) controls the speed and shut-off of the substance delivery from the dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') into the receiving container (411) through the third interface connection (416).

11. Laboratory setup according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of holding racks (101, 201, 301, 401) are provided with the capability to be combined in a group that works together as one holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) under the control of a processor unit (414) that is incorporated in one of the holding racks (101, 201, 301, 401) of the group or is externally connected to said group.

12. Laboratory setup according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one of the holding racks (101, 201, 301, 401) cooperating as a group is a single-unit rack (301) with only one position or compartment for a dosage unit (302).

13. Laboratory setup according to claim 12, characterized in that a plurality of single-unit racks (301) are seated on and connected to a base plate or shelf plate (310), with a mechanical connection (308, 311) securing the single-unit rack (301) in an assigned position (A, B, C) and an electrical connection (307, 312) energizing at least one of an indicator light (305) and a lock (309) on the single-unit rack (301).

14. Laboratory setup according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding rack (101, 201, 301, 401) further comprises for each indicator light (105, 105') a push button (107) and an indicator device (108) for representing specific data related to the dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') and/or related to the substance inside said dosage unit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') for which the related push button (107) is operated.

15. Laboratory setup according to claim8, characterized in that the I.D. labels (306), the reader device and the processor unit (414) are integrated in an inventory management system for the dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') and substances contained in them.

16. Laboratory setup according to claim 10 and 15, characterized in that the I.D.
labels (306), the reader device, the processor unit (414), as well as the locking means (209, 309) are integrated in an access control and surveillance system to prevent unauthorized use of the dosage units (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') and of the substances contained in them.

Ansprüche

1. Laboraufbau, der eine Laborwaage (413) mit einer Dosierungsabgabe-Einrichtung (417), eine Prozessoreinheit (414) und ein Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) mit Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') zum Abgeben von pulverförmigen Substanzen, falls das letztere an die Dosierungsabgabe-Einrichtung (417) gekoppelt ist, umfasst, wobei eine Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302) einen Vorratsbehälter (104, 104', 204, 304) und einen Abgabekopf (103, 103', 203, 303), die miteinander verbunden sind, umfasst, wobei ein Wiegesignal (415) von der Waage (413) an die Prozessoreinheit (414), welche die Dosierungsabgabe-Einrichtung (417) steuert, zurückgemeldet wird und wobei jede Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') eine individuelle Position oder Abteilung des Haltegestells (101, 201, 301, 401) einnimmt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Laboraufbau mit einem jeweiligen Übertragungsweg oder einer Schnittstellenverbindung (407) zwischen der Prozessoreinheit (414) und dem Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) ausgestattet ist und das Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) mit einem aktiven Benutzerführungsmittel (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') ausgestattet ist, das bei einem Vorgang des Abgebens von abgemessenen Substanzmengen aus unterschiedlichen Dosierungseinheiten in einen Aufnahmebehälter (411) durch die Prozessoreinheit (414) gesteuert wird, auf der Grundlage eines Verfahrens, das in einer Speichereinheit der Prozessoreinheit (414) gespeichert ist, um den Benutzer beim Herausnehmen und Zurückstellen der unterschiedlichen Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402'), die in dem Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) sitzen, zu leiten.

2. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das aktive Benutzerführungsmittel (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') ein an dem Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) angeordnetes Anzeigemittel (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') umfasst, das einem Bediener sichtbar anzeigt, welche Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') bei einem aktuellen Schritt eines Dosierungsabgabeverfahren aufgerufen wird.

3. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das aktive Benutzerführungsmittel (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') eine physische oder drahtlose Signalverbindung von dem Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) zu einem an jeder Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') angeordneten Anzeigemittel (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') umfasst, das einem Bediener sichtbar anzeigt, welche Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') bei einem aktuellen Schritt eines Dosierungsabgabeverfahren aufgerufen wird.

4. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Positionen für die Dosierungseinheiten in einer geraden Reihe angeordnet sind, und wobei das Anzeigemittel (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') Anzeigelichter (105) umfasst, die an dem Haltegestell (101) über jeder der jeweiligen Haltepositionen für die Dosierungseinheiten (102) angeordnet sind, und wobei das Licht (105'), das zu der Dosierungseinheit (102') für den aktuellen Schritt des Verfahrens gehört, erleuchtet wird, während die anderen Lichter (105) dunkel bleiben, oder das Licht (105'), das zu der Dosierungseinheit für den aktuellen Schritt des Verfahrens gehört, eine erste Farbe hat, während die Lichter (105) an den anderen Dosierungseinheiten eine zweite Farbe haben.

5. Laboraufbau nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Positionen für die Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') auf einem Karussell (201) angeordnet sind, wobei das aktive Benutzerführungsmittel (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') eine Fähigkeit des Karussells (201) umfasst, sich zu einer Position (210) zu drehen, wo sich die Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') für den aktuellen Schritt dem Benutzer darbietet.

6. Laboraufbau nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, die ferner ein Mittel (209, 309) umfasst, um alle Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') in ihrer Befestigungsposition in dem Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) zu verriegeln, und nur die Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') in der Position (210) für den aktuellen Abgabeschritt entriegelt ist, so dass sie durch den Benutzer herausgenommen werden kann.

7. Laboraufbau nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') in dem Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) in der Reihenfolge angeordnet sind, in der sie bei einem Abgabeverfahren verwendet werden, was erfordert, dass der Bediener die Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402')in der vorgeschriebenen Reihenfolge in das Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) einsetzt, bevor da Abgabeverfahren begonnen wird.

8. Laboraufbau nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) ferner eine Leseeinrichtung für Identifikationsetiketten, insbesondere Transpondermarken, HF-Identifikationsmarken, Strichcode-Etiketten oder Matrixetiketten, umfasst und dass die Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') Identifikationsetiketten (306), insbesondere Transpondermarken, HF-Identifikationsmarken, Strichcode-Etiketten oder Matrixetiketten, tragen, wodurch die Prozessoreinheit (414) dazu in die Lage versetzt wird, jede Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') und ihre Position in dem Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) zu identifizieren.

9. Laboraufbau nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Prozessoreinheit (414) eine Speichereinheit umfasst, in der ein Verfahren, mit Daten bezüglich der Substanzen und der Reihenfolge, in der sie aus ihren jeweiligen Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') abzugeben sind, gespeichert ist, so dass auf der Grundlage des Verfahrens sowie der Identifikationsetikettendaten und der Haltegestellposition jeder Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') die Prozessoreinheit (414) dazu in der Lage ist, die Anzeigelichter (105) zu aktivieren und/oder eine Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') zu einer Herausnahmeposition für einen aktuellen Schritt eines Abgabeverfahrens zu bringen und/oder die Dosierungseinheit (202), die bei dem aktuellen Schritt eines Abgabeverfahrens aus dem Gestell herauszunehmen ist, zu entriegeln.

10. Laboraufbau nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Laboraufbau ferner eine Waage und eine Dosierungsabgabe-Einrichtung (417) umfasst und dass die Prozessoreinheit (414) ferner eine zweite Schnittstellenverbindung (415) zu der Waage (413) und eine dritte Schnittstellenverbindung (416) zu der Dosierungsabgabe-Einrichtung (417) hat, wobei eine Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') an die Dosierungsabgabe-Einrichtung (417) gekoppelt werden kann und ein Aufnahmebehälter (411) unter der Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') auf einer Waagschale (412) der Waage (413) aufgebaut werden kann, wobei die Waage (413) durch die zweite Schnittstellenverbindung (415) Wiegesignale an die Prozessoreinheit (414) sendet und die Prozessoreinheit (414) Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') durch die dritte Schnittstellenverbindung (416) die Geschwindigkeit und das Abstellen der Substanzabgabe aus der Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') in den Aufnahmebehälter (411) steuert.

11. Laboraufbau nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Haltegestelle (101, 201, 301, 401) mit der Fähigkeit versehen sind, in einer Gruppe kombiniert zu werden, die zusammen als ein Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) unter der Steuerung der Prozessoreinheit (414) zusammenarbeitet, die in einem der Haltegestelle (101, 201, 301, 401) der Gruppe integriert ist oder extern mit der Gruppe verbunden ist.

12. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass wenigstens eines der Haltegestelle (101, 201, 301, 401), die als eine Gruppe zusammenwirken, ein Einzeleinheitengestell (301) mit nur einer Position oder Abteilung für eine Dosierungseinheit (302) ist.

13. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Einzeleinheitengestelle (301) auf einer Grundplatte oder Gestellplatte (310) festsitzen und mit derselben verbunden sind, wobei eine mechanische Verbindung (308, 311) das Einzeleinheitengestell (301) in einer zugewiesenen Position (A, B, C) befestigt und eine elektrische Verbindung (307, 312) wenigstens eine der Komponenten Anzeigelicht (305) und Verriegelung (309) an dem Einzeleinheitengestell (301) mit Strom versorgt.

14. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Haltegestell (101, 201, 301, 401) ferner für jedes Anzeigelicht (105, 105') einen Druckknopf (107) und eine Anzeigeeinrichtung (108) zum Darstellen spezifischer Daten, die mit der Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') verbunden sind und/oder mit der Substanz innerhalb der Dosierungseinheit (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') verbunden sind, für die der verknüpfte Druckknopf (107) betätigt wird, umfasst.

15. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Identifikationsetiketten (306), die Leseeinrichtung und die Prozessoreinheit (414) in einem Bestandsmanagementsystem für die Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') und die in ihnen enthaltenen Substanzen integriert sind.

16. Laboraufbau nach Anspruch 10 und 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Identifikationsetiketten (306), die Leseeinrichtung, die Prozessoreinheit (414) sowie die Verriegelungsmittel (209, 309) in ein Zugriffskontroll- und Überwachungssystem integriert sind, um eine unerlaubte Verwendung der Dosierungseinheiten (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') und der in ihnen enthaltenen Substanzen zu verhindern.

Revendications

1. Montage de laboratoire, comprenant une balance de laboratoire (413) avec un dispositif de distribution de doses (417), une unité de processeur (414) et un tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) avec des unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') pour distribuer des substances pulvérulentes si ce dernier est couplé au dispositif de distribution de doses (417), dans lequel une unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302) comprend un réceptacle de fourniture (104, 104', 204, 304) et une tête distributrice (103, 103', 203, 303) reliés l'un à l'autre, dans lequel un signal de pesée (415) de la balance (413) est renvoyé à l'unité de processeur (414) contrôlant le dispositif de distribution de doses (417) et dans lequel chaque unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') occupe une position ou un compartiment individuel(le) du tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401), caractérisé en ce que le montage de laboratoire est équipé d'un trajet de communication respectif ou d'une connexion d'interface (407) respective entre l'unité de processeur (414) et le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) et le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) est équipé d'un moyen actif de guidage de l'utilisateur (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') qui, dans un procédé de distribution de quantités de substances mesurées de différentes unités de dose dans un récipient de réception (411), est commandé par l'unité de processeur (414) en se basant sur une procédure stockée dans une unité de mémoire de l'unité de processeur (414) pour diriger l'utilisateur afin qu'il prélève et retourne les différentes unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') qui sont logées dans ledit tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401).

2. Montage de laboratoire selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen actif de guidage de l'utilisateur (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprend un moyen indicateur (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') agencé sur le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) qui indique de manière visible à un opérateur quelle unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') est appelée dans une étape en cours d'un procédé de distribution de doses.

3. Montage de laboratoire selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen actif de guidage de l'utilisateur (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprend une connexion de signal physique ou sans fil depuis le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) vers un moyen indicateur (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') agencé sur chaque unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') qui indique de manière visible à un opérateur quelle unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') est appelée dans une étape en cours d'un procédé de distribution de doses.

4. Montage de laboratoire selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les positions pour les unités de dose sont agencées en une rangée droite et dans lequel ledit moyen indicateur (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprend des lampes témoin (105) agencées sur le tiroir de support (101) au-dessus de chacune des positions de support respectives pour les unités de dose (102) et dans lequel la lampe (105') qui appartient à l'unité de dose (102') pour l'étape en cours de la procédure est allumée alors que les autres lampes (105) restent éteintes, ou la lampe (105') qui appartient à l'unité de dose pour l'étape de distribution en cours est d'une première couleur alors que les lampes (105) sur les autres unités de dose sont d'une seconde couleur.

5. Montage de laboratoire selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les positions pour les unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') sont agencées sur un carrousel (201), ledit moyen actif de guidage de l'utilisateur (105, 105', 210, 305, 405, 405') comprend une fonction dudit carrousel (201) pour tourner sur une position (210) dans laquelle l'unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') pour l'étape en cours se présente elle-même à l'utilisateur.

6. Montage de laboratoire selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, comprenant en outre un moyen (209, 309) de verrouillage de toutes les unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') dans leurs positions de logement dans le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) et seule l'unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') dans la position (210) pour l'étape de distribution en cours est déverrouillée de façon à pouvoir être prélevée par l'utilisateur.

7. Montage de laboratoire selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') sont agencées dans le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) dans l'ordre dans lequel elles sont utilisées dans un procédé de distribution, nécessitant que l'opérateur place les unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') dans le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) dans l'ordre prescrit avant que le procédé de distribution ne soit lancé.

8. Montage de laboratoire selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) comprend en outre un dispositif de lecteur pour des étiquettes d'identification, en particulier des étiquettes de transpondeur, des étiquettes de RFID, des étiquettes de code-barres ou de matrice et en ce que les unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') ont des étiquettes d'identification (306), en particulier des étiquettes de transpondeur, des étiquettes de RFID, des étiquettes de code-barres ou de matrice, ce par quoi l'unité de processeur (414) est activée pour identifier chaque unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') et sa position dans le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401).

9. Montage de laboratoire selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que ladite unité de processeur (414) comprend une unité de mémoire dans laquelle une procédure est stockée avec des données concernant les substances et l'ordre séquentiel dans lequel elles doivent être distribuées depuis leurs unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') respectives, de façon à ce qu'en se basant sur ladite procédure ainsi que sur les données de l'étiquette d'identification et la position dans le tiroir de support de chaque unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402'), l'unité de processeur (414) soit capable d'activer les lampes témoins (105) et/ou d'amener une unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') à une position de prélèvement pour une étape en cours d'un procédé de distribution et/ou de déverrouiller l'unité de dose (202) qui doit être prélevée du tiroir dans l'étape en cours d'un procédé de distribution.

10. Montage de laboratoire selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le montage de laboratoire comprend en outre une balance et un dispositif de distribution de doses (417) et que l'unité de processeur (414) présente en outre une seconde connexion d'interface (415) vers la balance (413) et une troisième connexion d'interface (416) vers le dispositif de distribution de doses (417), dans lequel une unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') peut être couplée au dispositif de distribution de doses (417) et un récipient récepteur (411) peut être placé sous l'unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') sur un plateau de pesée (412) de la balance (413), dans lequel la balance (413) envoie des signaux de pesée à l'unité de processeur (414) par le biais de la seconde connexion d'interface (415) et l'unité de processeur (414) contrôle la vitesse et l'arrêt de la fourniture de substance depuis l'unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') dans le récipient récepteur (411) par le biais de la troisième connexion d'interface (416).

11. Montage de laboratoire selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'une pluralité de tiroirs de support (101, 201, 301, 401) sont prévus avec la capacité d'être combinés en un groupe qui travaille ensemble comme un seul tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) sous la commande d'une unité de processeur (414) qui est incorporée dans l'un des tiroirs de support (101, 201, 301, 401) du groupe ou est reliée de manière externe audit groupe.

12. Montage de laboratoire selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un des tiroirs de support (101, 201, 301, 401) coopérant en tant que groupe est un tiroir à simple unité (301) avec une seule position ou un seul compartiment pour une unité de dose (302).

13. Montage de laboratoire selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce qu'une pluralité de tiroirs à simple unité (301) sont logés sur, et reliés à, un plateau de base ou de rayonnage (310), avec une connexion mécanique (308, 311) fixant le tiroir à simple unité (301) dans une position assignée (A, B, C) et un branchement électrique (307, 312) alimentant au moins l'une des lampes témoins (305) et un verrou (309) sur le tiroir à simple unité (301).

14. Montage de laboratoire selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le tiroir de support (101, 201, 301, 401) comprend en outre pour chaque lampe témoin (105, 105') un bouton-poussoir (107) et un dispositif indicateur (108) pour représenter des données spécifiques liées à l'unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') et/ou liées à la substance à l'intérieur de ladite unité de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') pour laquelle le bouton-poussoir (107) est actionné.

15. Montage de laboratoire selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les étiquettes d'identification (306), le dispositif de lecteur et l'unité de processeur (414) sont intégrés dans un système de gestion d'inventaire pour les unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') et les substances contenues dedans.

16. Montage de laboratoire selon les revendications 10 et 15, caractérisé en ce que les étiquettes d'identification (306), le dispositif de lecteur, l'unité de processeur (414), ainsi que le moyen de verrouillage (209, 309) sont intégrés dans un système de commande et de surveillance d'accès pour éviter l'utilisation non autorisée des unités de dose (102, 102', 202, 302, 402, 402') et des substances contenues dedans.

Drawing